A Westerner Physician’s View of Chinese Medicine: Principles and Practice

This course will introduce students to the philosophy of ancient Chinese medicine and some of the therapeutic modalities of modern TCM. According to Dr Andrew Weil’s website: “Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a healing system of Eastern medicine developed in China more than 2,000 years ago, incorporating therapies that are in some cases millennia older. One of its guiding principles is to "dispel evil and support the good." In addition to treating illness, TCM focuses on strengthening the body’s defenses and enhancing its capacity for healing and to maintain health.” Increasingly, Western trained physicians are studying Chinese medicine’s focus on whole body wellness and some of these Eastern approaches are being adopted or adapted. This course will seek to prepare students to understand how principles of Chinese medicine can support Western medical practice. The course will include in-class discussions, qigong practice sessions, acupressure, and homework assignments.